'It's one thing to talk about it, but actually we went out there (in Bengaluru) and played some fearless cricket.'
Off-spinner Nishan Peiris picked up a six-wicket haul on debut as Sri Lanka crushed New Zealand by an innings and 154 runs.
Tom Latham and Kane Williamson led New Zealand's fightback with sparkling half-centuries as the Black Caps reached 255-4 on the rain-hit second day of their opening Test against Sri Lanka in Galle
The West Indies selection panel on Wednesday included Sunil Ambris in place of Smith, who had scored two fifties in the nine innings that he played on his comeback for the Sri Lanka Tests following a gap of three years.
While this may not secure qualification outright, it would certainly keep them in contention. New Zealand head coach Gary Stead drew inspiration from the inaugural WTC cycle in 2019-21, when New Zealand won six consecutive matches enroute to securing the title.
India were in danger of suffering their first home test loss to New Zealand since 1988, despite Sarfaraz Khan's 150 and Rishabh Pant's 99, when the tourists bowled them out for 462 on the fourth day of their rain-interrupted series opener on Saturday.
The 30-year-old Hyderabadi, has so far taken 80 wickets in 30 Test matches but 61 of those scalps have come in 17 away Test matches in three of the SENA countries (South Africa, England, Australia).
Woeful India dismissed for 46 as New Zealand pacers run riot
A spectacular seven-wicket haul by Mitchell Santner helped New Zealand dismiss India for 156 before the tourists reached 198-5 at stumps on day two of the second test in Pune on Friday to tighten their grip on the three-match series.
Images from Day 2 of the 3rd Test played between India and New Zealand, in Mumbai, on Saturday.
Spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin chipped away at the wickets to leave New Zealand reeling on 171/9 in their second innings at stumps on Day 2.
Washington Sundar made a dream return to Test cricket with a sensational spell of 7/59 against New Zealand, in his first Test since March 2021.
Images from Day 2 of the second Test between India and New Zealand at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Friday.
A turner in Pune exposed the soft underbelly of Indian batters' technique against slow bowling but as per the current team's philosophy, it has decided to take the bull by its horns by asking for a turner where the ball might turn at right angles from first hour.
New Zealand bowler Lockie Ferguson joined Canada skipper Saad Bin Zafar as only the second bowler in T20I history to bowl each of the allotted four overs as maidens, returning figures of 4-4-0-3. Zafar recorded 4-4-0-2.
IMAGES from the Day 1 of the third Test played between India and New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Friday
IMAGES from Day 4 of the first Test played between India and New Zealand in Bengaluru, on Saturday.
IMAGES from Day 3 of the 1st Test played between India and New Zealand in Bengaluru, on Friday.
'We are virtually playing with our 'B' team. Those who are criticising Dhoni don't know the sacrifice that he is doing for this team.'
India has only minor concerns, but New Zealand's troubles across batting and bowling departments are more pronounced.
India 'A bowlers found it tough to contain the West Indies 'A' batsmen and the Caribbean men rode on skipper Devon Smith's resolute hundred to force a draw in the four-day match between the two sides in Surrey.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for the first Test against New Zealand?
Actor Mohit Raina gets ready to move on.
New Zealand can become only the second team to inflict a series whitewash on India in their backyard.
The 50-year-old breast cancer survivor runs topless to help erase the stigma around the disease
The complete list of players sold in the IPL 2025 Auction in Jeddah.
Images from the T20 World Cup Group C match between the West Indies and New Zealand in Trinidad on Thursday.
Shreyas Iyer, who led KKR to the IPL 2024 title, could be headed for the players' auction after failing to make a breakthrough in negotiations, while K L Rahul is also unlikely to be retained by LSG.
CSK had some good news on the eve of the match with Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana being declared fit from a hamstring injury.
Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra scoring centuries in the same game is the first instance of two Kiwi batters scoring a century each in a World Cup match. It was also the first time two Kiwi batters scored a century each on World Cup debut.
The talent is in plenty in this squad and if this machine runs smoothly, a sixth IPL trophy will be at touching distance for Thala and Co.
After a stunning manifestation of his talent with an unbeaten 123, New Zealand batter Rachin Ravindra on Thursday said he did not expect to bat at No. 3, but coming out at that position gave him the freedom to play with aggression.
Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra smashed rapid unbeaten centuries to set up New Zealand's successful pursuit of a 283-run victory target, which came with 13.4 overs to spare.
Two weeks ahead of the upcoming IPL, defending champions Chennai Super Kings were left to fret over another injury concern as pacer Matheesha Pathirana has suffered a Grade 1 hamstring strain on his left leg.
Images from the T20 World Cup match played between New Zealand and Uganda in Tarouba, Trinidad, on Saturday.
The Kiwis named their 15-player squad for the ninth edition of the 20-over showcase on Monday, with the Black Caps opting for an experienced squad that includes Williamson and fast bowling duo Tim Southee and Trent Boult.
Having already played their opening encounters in the ongoing cricket World Cup, it is time for New Zealand and the Netherlands to venture deep into the tournament as they face each other in Hyderabad on Monday.
Former player Ian Smith questioned New Zealand's preparations for the T20 World Cup.
New Zealand find themselves in the a difficult group with two-time champions West Indies and Afghanistan also vying for the the top two spots.
New Zealand eye consolatory win over PNG
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